Milliblog Annual Music round-up 2023

Unlike last year, where I felt the entire music scene, across languages, was unexciting, this year was slightly different. The Hindi film (and TV series) music was a total slog! Dismal is the word that comes to my mind. Most music has been fully relegated to being a mere marketing vehicle. And worse, videos dictate interest in music and not the other way around.

Thankfully, the non-Hindi film music scene had adequate sparks this year. 

But then, things are not *that* good either that I need to go back to top 20/30 for any language. It’s still slim pickings and I’m continuing with the top 15 per language, this year too. Let’s see if next year turns out to be better.

As always, these songs in these lists are in the order of my preference, and not random listings. Also, the lists consist of songs that were released between mid-December 2022 and 2023.

Happy listening!

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Hindi

My 2021 annual round-up called that year’s Hindi film (and TV series) music scene ‘lackluster’. 2022 was unexciting. 2023 was dismal! Even composers who have produced top-notch music in the past, like Pritam (Yes, including Dunki), Amit Trivedi, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Sachin-Jigar, barely come close anywhere near their previous highs. The sole exception is the trio of Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Despite perfunctory albums like Sam Bahadur, the trio did produce excellent music in the much-publicized The Archies, and the criminally unknown Dono.

Composer of the year: None.

1. Chaleya – Jawan (Anirudh)
2. Agg Ladgi – Dono (Shankar Ehsaan Loy)
3. Tere Pyaar Mein – Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Pritam)
4. Duniya – Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat (Amit Trivedi)
5. Main Parwaana – Pippa (A R Rahman)
6. Va Va Voom – The Archies (Shankar Ehsaan Loy)
7. Khamma Ghani – Dono (Shankar Ehsaan Loy)
8. Tere Saath – Kuttey (Vishal Bhardwaj)
9. What Jhumka? – Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Pritam)
10. Hori Mein – Gulmohar (Siddhartha Khosla & Alan Demoss)
11. Show Me The Thumka – Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Pritam)
12. Haseen Mushkilein – Faadu – A Love Story (Santhosh Narayanan)
13. Jee Karda (Title Track) – Jee Karda (Sachin-Jigar)
14. Pukaroon Hari Om – The Great Indian Family (Pritam)
15. Tere Vaaste – Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (Sachin-Jigar)

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Tamil

Just like last year, this year too, two of the biggest productions directly headed to Anirudh – Jailer and Leo (and Jawan, his debut in Hindi). But unlike last year, his output, even in those big productions, was middling at best. While he had a stellar single from Jawan (my Hindi list’s No. 1), his songs from both Jailer and Leo were disappointing. This, despite him trying a totally new’ish sound, with a few English songs in Leo!

But if there’s a composer to whom 2023 belongs in Tamil, it is Ilayaraja. His work in Modern Love: Chennai was masterful and unlike anything heard from him in recent times! Even the much-hyped Viduthalai felt basic in the larger scheme of the entire year’s songs (2 songs from the film were on the long list), but Modern Love: Chennai was a complete winner in every way! Plus, he had a couple of good songs (on my long list) from Margazhi Thingal too.

When it comes to Rahman, after a great PS-1, PS-2 was considerably less interesting, both musically and film-wise. I was mostly disappointed with both Pathu Thala and Maamannan.

Then it was left to a handful of other composers—like Siddhu Kumar, Jen Martin, Govind Vasantha, Sean Roldan, Dhibu Ninan Thomas, Sachin Warrier, and Nivas K Prasanna—to hold the flag high in terms of quality music. Justin’s Farhana already had a lovely song in my last year’s list – another song tops this year’s list easily. The surprise entry is M.M. Keeravani, who had 2 surprisingly good songs (one of which is in my list, and the other was in the long list) in an otherwise washout of an album of Chandramukhi 2.

Composer of the Year: Ilayaraja

1. Zara – Farhana (Justin Prabhakaran)
2. Nenjil Oru Minnal – Modern Love: Chennai (Ilayaraja)
3. Podhum Podhum – Chandramukhi 2 (M.M.Keeravani)
4. Urugi Urugi – Joe (Siddhu Kumar)
5. Kangal Edho – Chithha (Dhibu Ninan Thomas)
6. Railin Oligal – Blue Star (Govind Vasantha)
7. Namma Thamizh Folku – Dada (Jen Martin)
8. Cargaalamey – Sweet Kaaram Coffee (Govind Vasantha)
9. Thottu Thazhuvum Thendrale – Lucky Man (Sean Roldan)
10. Aga Naga – Ponniyin Selvan 2 (A R Rahman)
11. Vaanilai – Marakkuma Nenjam (Sachin Warrier)
12. Jujubee – Jailer (Anirudh)
13. Sooriyan Thondrudhu Saamatthilae – Modern Love: Chennai (Ilayaraja)
14. Chillanjirukkiye – Lubber Pandhu (Sean Roldan)
15. Imaithidathe – Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (Nivas K Prasanna)

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Telugu

2023 in terms of Telugu music was easily Hesham Abdul Wahab’s show. The man produced prolific music all through the year, with Kushi and Hi Nanna being the best, followed by above-average music in Spark.

There was also an interesting trend of Tamil composers scoring for direct Telugu movies, this year. This includes Yuvan Shankar Raja (Gangs of Godavari), Ghibran (Amigos), (G.V.Prakash Kumar (Aadikeshava, Tiger Nageswara Rao), Santhosh Narayanan (Dasara, Saindhav), Harris Jeyaraj (Extra Ordinary Man), plus, of course, Ilayaraja, a veteran in Telugu by now (Rangamarthanda). All of them have scored for direct Telugu films earlier too, but all of them having direct Telugu films this year was a coincidence, I guess. Add to that, the fact that both Malayalam’s Hesham and Kannada’s Ajaneesh (Mangalavaaram, Virupaksha) had more than one film in Telugu this year perhaps points to Telugu producers and stars looking outside their own composers.

That brings me to the 2 composers usually most sought after in Telugu – Devi Sri Prasad and Thaman S. Both had pretty middling stuff in 2023 – Waltair Veerayya by Devi Sri Prasad, and Varisu, Veera Simha Reddy, Bro, Skanda, Bhagavanth Kesari, and Annapoorani by Thaman.

As far as the other Telugu composers are concerned, Kalyani Malik, Vijai Bulganin, and Chaitan Bharadwaj (in my top 15), and Mani Sharma, Mickey J Meyer, Saravana Vasudevan, and Suresh Bobbili (not in my top 15) stood out for me.

Composer of the Year: Hesham Abdul Wahab

1. Na Roja Nuvve – Kushi (Hesham Abdul Wahab)
2. Chamkeela Angeelesi – Dasara (Santhosh Narayanan)
3. Samayama – Hi Nanna (Hesham Abdul Wahab)
4. Deva Raaja – Baby (Vijai Bulganin)
5. Neetho Ee Gadichina Kalam – Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi (Kalyani Malik)
6. Enno Ratrulosthayi – Amigos (Ilayaraja, Ghibran)
7. Title Song – Kushi (Hesham Abdul Wahab)
8. Suttamla Soosi – Gangs of Godavari (Yuvan Shankar Raja)
9. Yema Andham – Spark (Hesham Abdul Wahab)
10. Ganagana Mogalira – Mangalavaaram (B Ajaneesh Loknath)
11. Brundavanive – Gam Gam Ganesha (Chaitan Bharadwaj)
12. Ammaadi – Hi Nanna (Hesham Abdul Wahab)
13. Nannu Nannu Ga Undanivuga – Rangamarthanda (Ilayaraja)
14. Premisthunna – Baby (Vijai Bulganin)
15. Padham Parugulu – Maruva Tarama (Vijai Bulganin)

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Malayalam

Unlike last year when Hesham Abdul Wahab clearly dominated the scene, there was no single composer who stood out so clearly in Malayalam in 2023. Instead, a lot of composers produced the usually vibrant variety of music that I so associate Malayalam film music with.

I had mentioned that I expected a lot more from Sushin Shyam in my 2022 round-up, but he had only Romanchanam in 2023, which did not work for me. Vishnu Vijay clearly is my pick among composers this year even though his chart-busting Thallumala from 2022 did not work for me at all! His recreated Jil Jil Jil is easily the song of the year. He had a good song in Kasargold too, where he shared composing credits with Niranj Suresh.

Sam CS was the surprise pick in Malayalam this year. He seems to have smoothly moved from Tamil to Malayalam and produced a cracker of an album in RDX. Vidyasagar’s return did produce one great track and I guess more songs are due from Marivillin Gopurangal. Govind Vasantha was quite busy in Malayalam, with films like Adi, Christy, and Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham (songs from all 3, in my long list), Jackson Bazaar Youth, and Little Miss Rawther (both in my top 15).

I was pleasantly surprised by both Jay Unnithan (Trishanku) and Ajmal Hasbulla (Purusha Pretham) – keen to hear what they come up with in the coming years. As always, I’d love to hear a lot more from Sooraj S Kurup.

Composer of the Year: Vishnu Vijay

1. Jil Jil Jil – Sulaikha Manzil (Vishnu Vijay)
2. Neela Nilave – RDX (Sam CS)
3. Palliperunnal – Jackson Bazaar Youth (Govind Vasantha)
4. Neeye Nenjil – Mindiyum Paranjum (Sooraj S Kurup)
5. Pathu Njori – Dear Vaappi (Kailas)
6. Haalaake Maarunne – Sulaikha Manzil (Vishnu Vijay)
7. Dapper Maama – Thrishanku (Jay Unnithan)
8. Karagruham – Little Miss Rawther (Govind Vasantha)
9. Mouna Sundari – Marivillin Gopurangal (Vidyasagar)
10. Devi Neeye – Thankam (Bijibal)
11. Sugar Lochan – Purusha Pretham (Ajmal Hasbulla)
12. Kaathal Marangal Pookkane – Pranaya Vilasam (Shaan Rahman)
13. Alaye – Kasargold (Vishnu Vijay)
14. Mullaanu – O Baby (Varun Krrishna & Pranav Das)
15. La Koodaram – Ntikkakkakkoru Premandaarnnu (Paul Mathews)

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Kannada

As far as Kannada film music goes, Ajaneesh continues to totally rule it! And it’s good to see him move beyond Kannada with 2 Telugu films (Mangalavaaram and Virupaksha), besides reusing his own Kannada song in Marathi (Mala Ka Bhase, from Sari, a remake of the Kannada film Dia).

Arjun Janya gave a very solid competition to Ajaneesh in 2023, with excellent work in Naalkane Aayama, Padavi Poorva, Upadhyaksha, Kousalya Supraja Rama, and specifically, Baanadariyalli. Charan Raj completes the Kannada triumvirate.

Composer of the Year: Arjun Janya and B. Ajaneesh Loknath

1. Aa Mugilinalli – Naalkane Aayama (Arjun Janya)
2. Eli Sanje Kadala Teera – Vaamana (B Ajaneesh Loknath)
3. I’m in love – Bad Manners (Charan Raj)
4. Yaake Sikke – Padavi Poorva (Arjun Janya)
5. Hostel Hudugaru Protest Song – Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare (B. Ajaneesh Loknath)
6. Ninnanu Nodida – Baanadariyalli (Arjun Janya)
7. Title song – Sapta Sagaradaache Ello (Charan Raj)
8. Arre Idu Yentha Bhavane – Hoysala (B. Ajaneesh Loknath)
9. Nanage Neenu – Upadhyaksha (Arjun Janya)
10. Shivani – Kousalya Supraja Rama (Arjun Janya)
11. Title Song – Bad Manners (Charan Raj)
12. Neenena Neenena – Prabhuthva (Emil Mohammed)
13. Baanadariyalli Hode Yelli – Baanadariyalli (Arjun Janya)
14. Preethisuve – Kousalya Supraja Rama (Arjun Janya)
15. Muddu Raakshasi – Vaamana (B. Ajaneesh Loknath)

PS: For some reason, Spotify India does not have the 4th song – Padavi Poorva‘s Yaake Sikke! It’s available on both YouTube and Apple Music, however.

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Marathi

While AV Prafullachandra continues to produce absolutely delightful music, I was really glad to see the return of Gulraj Singh, that too, in Marathi! But the biggest surprise was Anwesshaa, with a brilliant soundtrack in Pahije Jatiche.

Composer of the Year: AV Prafullachandra

1. Chalalo – Pahije Jatiche (Anwesshaa)
2. Darav Darav – Naal 2 (AV Prafullachandra)
3. Yeda Mandola – Unaad (Gulraj Singh)
4. Gun Gun – Ghar Banduk Biryani (AV Prafullachandra)
5. Unad Valut – Ankush (Amitraj)
6. Mann Taara – Unaad (Gulraj Singh)
7. Ti Honar – Pahije Jatiche (Anwesshaa)
8. Bhingori – Naal 2 (AV Prafullachandra)
9. Mala Ka Bhase – Sari (B Ajaneesh Loknath)
10. Baharla Ha Madhumas – Maharashtra Shaheer (Ajay-Atul)

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Indipop

As far as Indipop goes, I was really happy to see Arijit Singh straddling not just the film music scene but also the non-film music space. He was quite prolific with his own compositions this year after having proven to be an excellent composer for film music already. He has 3 songs in my top 10 Hindi Indipop songs!

But the biggest disappointment this year was both Coke Studio Bharat and Coke Studio Tamil. While the former was a complete miss right from the start, the latter, I thought, showed promise, before I figured out the trope they were aiming for – one popular singer paired with another less popular singer, but the latter’s part is perfunctory, at best… more like topical hire. The Tamil non-film music scene is still quite nascent and could do with a lot more work and talent.

I had a few non-film songs across languages like Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Bangla, and Pakistani songs that couldn’t fit in any specific list on their own. So, like last year, I clubbed them into an ‘assorted’ list, but unlike last year’s 10, I have 15 this year.

Hindi

1. Numaani – Faridkot, ft. Shilpa Rao
2. Barkha – Arijit Singh, ft. Sunidhi Chauhan
3. Heeriye – Jasleen Royal, ft Arijit Singh
4. Jaa Kaga – Abby V, Ricky Kej, ft. Benny Dayal
5. Bairi Birhaa – Songs of Trance 2 (Amit Trivedi)
6. Angnaa – Rishabh Shah, ft. Ronkini Gupta and Yatharth
7. Baadal – Sanjith Hegde
8. Rooh Jaga Doon – Arijit Singh
9. Ab Rukna Mat – Papon
10. Bhide – Arijit Singh

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Tamil

1. Rasathi – Shankar Mahadevan (ft. Anthony Daasan and KJ Iyenar)
2. Vendum – Sean Roldan x Meenakshi Elayaraja (Coke Studio Tamil)
3. Kaikku Ettinadhu – Vijaynarain
4. Na Na Na Na – Vivek Mervin
5. Ammamma – Sahi Siva
6. Oru Vaarthai – CM Naveen, ft. Sam Vishal
7. Ticky Ticky Taa – Darbuka Siva, ft. Sivaangi & Asal Kolaar
8. Rayil Pogum Idam – Vijaynarain
9. Sagavaasi – Arivu, ft. Khatija Rahman (Coke Studio Tamil)
10. Thaavi Odudhey En Manam – Indosoul

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Assorted Indipop (other than Hindi & Tamil)

1. Kya Loge Tum – B Praak (Album: Zohrajabeen)
2. Bhaavam – Job Kurian
3. Geejaga Hakki – Sanjith Hegde x Charan Raj (Coke Studio Bharat)
4. Solid – Layers (Ammy Virk, music: Jaymeet)
5. Sukoon – Hassan & Roshaan, ft. Shae Gill
6. Paluke – Bhadrachala Ramadasu, M.Balamuralikrishna, ft. Arya Dhayal (Music Mojo Season 7)
7. Ghazab Kiya – Ali Sethi
8. Rokto – Alboe, ft. Prajna
9. Left Right – Ali Sethi, Shae Gill, Abdullah Siddiqui & Maanu
10. Noi – Phani Kalyan
11. Giddh – Thaikkudam Bridge (SoundChk S01)
12. Naamiravil – Gowry Lekshmi, ft. Sooraj Santhosh
13. Jacquemus – Tesher
14. Sweet Mistake – Muzzle x Malo on the Beat
15. Galla’n Ee Ney – Satinder Sartaaj, ft. Jatinder Shah

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